Walking in, I take an elevator that is just a blue platform that leads to the top. I run in through an entrance and meet Aaron, the first member of the Elite Four. The place sure looks like a home for bugs with the little grass patches, some rocks, and a log.
"Hello! Welcome to the Pokemon League! I'm Aaron of the Elite Four, it's good to meet you." he said smiling.
"It's good to meet you too." I said taking a small bow.
"Oh, I should explain, I'm a huge fan of bug Pokemon. Bug Pokemon are nasty-mean, and yet they're beautiful too. Would you like to know why I take on challengers here?"
"Sure."
"It's because I want to become perfect, just like my bug Pokemon! Okay! Let me take you on!"
Aaron does a backflip and lands with pride. His first Pokemon is Yanmega and mine is Piplup. Our foe uses Double Team in hopes of dodging our Ice Beam attack. Tough luck Aaron! Yanmega is out and next up is Scizor. Piplup uses Hydro Pump while Scizor uses Night Slash. With our foe's attack being critical, the proud penguin is left in a pinch. He attacks one last time and goes down in pride. My next Pokemon is Staraptor and we use Aerial Ace. Thankfully it knocks Scizor out.
Our foe's next Pokemon is Vespiquen and uses Defend Order. I command Staraptor to Fly so he can avoid any attacks. Upon coming down, Vespiquen launches an Attack Order, but Staraptor hits her hard making it critical and knocking her out. Heracross is next and boy do we have the type advantage here. One Fly attack knocks him out which is crazy! Is this guy really an Elite Four member? Well, I'm surprised at the next Pokemon Aaron sends out: Drapion.
Drapion uses Ice Fang and freezes Staraptor so I use a Full Restore to heal the status condition as well as any damage done to him. Now that the bird is back in the game, he charges at the giant scorpion with Fly leaving his foe badly damaged. Drapion uses Cross Poison and poisons Staraptor. Still, he attacks with courage and wins the battle.
"I lost with the most beautiful and toughest of bug Pokemon. We lost because I wasn't good enough." Aaron admitted.
"I don't think so. I just had the type advantage." I said.
"Really? Well, still it's back to training camp for me. Anyway, go onto the next room. Three Trainers are waiting for you and are all tougher than me."
"I'm ready!"
"Good luck."
I run to the exit behind Aaron and go up the same elevator. The next room is like a wasteland you'd see in a Road Runner cartoon. Rock formations on the left and right along with a dusty old ground. Oddly in front of me is an old woman with grey hair, but her eyes reflect a kind soul. I walk up to her and say, "I'm here for the next challenge."
"Well, well. You're quite the adorable Trainer, but you've also got a spine" the old lady said.
"Excuse me?" I said raising an eyebrow.
"Ahaha! I'm Bertha and I have a preference for Ground-type Pokemon. Well, would you show this old lady how much you've learned?"
"Sure!"
"Very well, prepare yourself, young Trainer!"
Bertha sends out her first Pokemon: Whiscash and mine Roserade. She uses Petal Dance and our foe uses Earth Power. In the end though, Whiscash was knocked out. Next up is Gliscor and being a Flying Pokemon I switch out with Piplup who I revived before I got into battle. He uses Ice Beam before Gliscor had a chance to attack. This is too easy! Next up was Hippowdon and she uses Yawn while Piplup uses Hydro Pump. The hippo Pokemon is knocked out, but Piplup is then lulled asleep. I switch out with Roserade and Bertha sends out Golem. One hit from Pedal Dance and the big rock is out.
"Come on! Is that all you got?" I asked.
"Nope! Go on, Rhyperior!"
The old lady's final Pokemon was sent out: Rhyperior! This Pokemon has a strong body, but it's not strong enough to endure Roserade's Petal Dance. Game, set, match!
"Well you're quite something, youngster." Bertha admitted. "I like how you and your Pokemon earned the win by working as one. That's what makes you so strong."
"Thanks." I said smiling.
"Ahahaha! I think you can go as far as you want. Dream big, my dear!"
I nod and head on to the next member of the Elite Four who happens to be Flint. You know, the guy with the red afro. His place is above lava or so it seems. The place is hot!
"Yo, Trainer! You had me counting the days on my fingers waiting for you to come." Flint laughed.
"Heh, sorry." I said blushing in embarrassment.
"It's okay. I heard from Volkner what you did in Sunnyshore. You managed to light a fire in that guy's heart again. How could you not expect me to look forward to seeing you in battle?"
"Right…"
"You're facing a Fire-type user with me. Let Flint see how hot your spirit burns!"
Flint sends out his first Pokemon: Houndoom and mine is Piplup. Our foe attacks first using Sunny Day to prepare the battlefield for his other Pokemon. Piplup uses Hydro Pump instantly knocking out the black dog. Flareon was up next and he uses Quick Attack, but it barely does anything. Piplup uses Hydro Pump and knocks out the fiery Eevee. Next up is Rapidash and he uses Solar Beam which knocks out Piplup. Didn't see that one coming.
With Piplup out, I send out Luxray and attack with speed. The fiery horse and electric lion attack each other with Flare Blitz and Spark. Eventually the horse is knocked out due to the amount of damage done with the attack. I take this chance to revive Piplup and switch Luxray out with him. Infernape is my next opponent and he uses Thunder Punch. Great! This guy's prepared, but Piplup refuses to be knocked out again so he uses Hydro Pump and relentlessly shoots water till his foe is vanquished or quenched rather.
Flint's final Pokemon is Magmortar. Thankfully Piplup is faster, but this guy has high defense so the proud penguin is knocked out by Thunder Bolt. Luxray is back in the game and attacks using Spark. With the damage already done by Piplup, our foe is knocked out. Flint was left speechless.
"Whew! Burnt right down to cinders." he said wiping off some sweat.
"You put up a good fight, I didn't see many of those attacks coming." I admitted.
"Right, but you still won. Good luck fighting the next one."
Lucian is my next opponent. He's a psychic type user so I may have a hard time fighting him. Before heading off to battle, I recover my Pokemon so I won't go in unprepared. My first Pokemon will be Luxray since his attack Crunch is a dark type move. I go on in and his room is purple (my favorite color) with four glowing orbs at all corners. The man's hair is even purple! The glasses give off a smart vibe along with his outfit.
"Ah, you timed your arrival well." he said smiling.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes, I've just finished reading a book you see. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lucian, a Psychic type user. I must say, you've already proven yourself to be outstanding by coming this far. They say I am the toughest of the Elite Four. I'm afraid I will have to go all out against you to live up to that reputation."
Lucian sends out Mr. Mime and I send out Luxray. With Luxray being the fastest, he attacks using Crunch knocking out our foe's first Pokemon. Next up is Bronzor so I switch out with Piplup and use Hydro Pump. I know Bronzor is a tough Pokemon and I want Luxray to fight the solely psychic type Pokemon. He attacks with Earthquake in hopes of knocking Piplup out, but he stands proud in defeating his foe. Next up is Espeon so I switch out with Luxray. One Crunch was all it took, but he was left damaged after a Psychic attack.
Alakazam was up next and I thought I had this, but our foe managed to get us first. I allow Piplup to fight while I recover Luxray. When he's ready, we finish him off and fight the final Pokemon: Gallade. Crunch is regularly effective, but we manage to lower his defense each attack. However with Drain Punch, Gallade regains health each hit. Still, it's not enough to hold on. That said, we win the battle.
"Congratulations! You've now beaten the Elite Four. However, that doesn't mean you're done with the Pokemon League." Lucian informed.
"Yeah I know." I said smiling.
"I should warn you, the Champion is far stronger than the Elite Four. Now, go on. Step through the doorway to your final battle."
This is it! I'm going to see Cynthia and battle her. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. It's not really a matter of winning or losing, it's the fact I have social anxiety. I don't know what to say. What do I do other than battle? If I win or lose, will I ever see Cynthia ever again?